Register for youth tennis instruction

By Tom CaroselloSUN Columnist

The Pagosa Springs Recreation Department is offering youth tennis instruction this summer, thanks again to cooperation on the part of Wyndham Resorts.

The program, which is in its sixth year, is open to youths ages 6-12. The program will consist of two monthly sessions, one in June (begins June 4) and one in July (begins July 8), and will be conducted at the Wyndham tennis courts. The tentative plan is to have players ages 6-8 meet Monday-Thursday, 1-2 p.m. Players ages 8-12 will meet Monday-Thursday, 2-3 p.m.

Registration forms are available at the recreation office at Town Hall and will be accepted through June 3 for the June session. Registrations are also available through a link on the recreation department page at www.townofpagosasprings.com.

Cost to participate is $30 per monthly session. Participants must have nonmarking-soled athletic or tennis shoes. The recreation department might have some racquets available, but participants are encouraged to purchase and use their own equipment.

For more information, call Dale Schwicker, program instructor, at 903-3119 or the recreation office at 264-4151, Ext. 232.

Baseball

Rosters for the coach-pitch division (ages 6-8) are being finalized and the assessments for this year’s 9-10 and 11-14 divisions have been set for tonight at the high school ball fields.

Participants and coaches in the 9-10 division should report to the fields at 5:30 p.m.; the assessment will run until approximately 6:40.

Participants and coaches in the 11-14 division should report to the fields at 6:45 p.m.; the assessment will run until approximately 8.

All players intending to participate in the assessment should come prepared for basic throwing, hitting and fielding drills, and bring a baseball glove and athletic shoes.

The draft for both divisions will be held Tuesday, May 14, at 6 p.m. in Town Hall. All head coaches should attend.

Games in all divisions are tentatively scheduled to begin in early June; the season will run through early July.

Horseshoes

Horseshoe pitching has started for the season at South Pagosa Park.

Players of all abilities (ages 12 and up) are welcome. This activity is for anyone wanting to learn the game and how to pitch, as well as for anyone who already knows and wants to improve. Physical requirements are minimal.

There is plenty of room so, if players desire, they can practice by themselves until comfortable. If anyone would like instruction, veteran players are usually present to provide advice.

The fun begins each Wednesday at 4 p.m. Horseshoes will be provided. There is no cost involved.

For more information, call Mark Bergon at 264-2838.

Kids’ programs

The Ross Aragon Community Center, through a partnership with the Town of Pagosa Springs Recreation Department, is offering a slate of new activities for youngsters ages 4-12 this summer.

The programs, which will be held at the community center and are collectively deemed “Kickin’ It During Summer,” will focus mainly on science- and art-based activities, but will also highlight a few new introductory sports programs.

For example, registration is now open for the June session of archery for ages 6-12. For ages 6-8, classes will be held Mondays from 3-4 p.m. until the end of the month. Classes for ages 9-12 will be held Tuesdays from 3-4 p.m. throughout the month. Cost is $20 per student; space is limited. Other sports classes to be offered later this summer are disc golf, sand volleyball and golf.

For those interested in science-based activities, a seven-week course titled “Summer of Science” is being offered for ages 4-12 during June and July. Classes will be held outdoors (weather permitting) and focus on age-appropriate, hands-on experiments and instruction. Classes will be held from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and split into age groups 4-7 and 8-12.

Most classes include take-home items for participating students. Cost for the program is $50; space is limited. The schedule is as follows: June 6 — how to make sunprints; June 13 — miniature rocket propulsion (nonflammable fuels); June 20 — solar cooking; June 27 — bug catching/identification; July 11 and 18 — nature photography; July 25 — trip to Rocky Mountain Wildlife Park.

Registration forms for all programs are available at the community center front desk and at the recreation office. Registrations are also available through the recreation department link at www.townofpagosasprings.com and will be provided at local schools, as well.

For more information, call the community center at 264-4152 or the recreation office at 264-4151, Ext. 232.

Tee-ball

Registration for this year’s tee-ball season has closed and all players have been assigned to teams.

Games begin Monday at 5:30 p.m. at the elementary school athletics fields; all players should report to the fields at 5:20 p.m. to receive their uniforms. Coaches will be contacting their rosters to remind each player to report on time.

Games are scheduled for Mondays and Wednesdays and will be played through May 29, weather permitting. Game schedules are available at the recreation office and are available for download through the recreation department link at www.townofpagosasprings.com.